A
very quiet day for fines, announcements
and otherwise bawdy behavior. However, the salad, meatloaf, potatoes,
veggies and cookies made us all feel warm on an otherwise cool spring day in
Colorado. Our guests were Kevin Nettles, via Don Masias and Pat McKim,
both of whom strong-armed an application from Kevin and Chuck Duncan, via Doug
Harder.
Welcome to both. bill Parchen announced the upcoming golf tourney, June
7th at Englewood; sign up now. Kudos'
from the PREZ to Don Masias, Dick Laskey, Dick Mason and Rick/Renee Campbell for
the very successful raffle. GREAT JOB, THANKS.

Don
announced the Western Welcome Week August 2. Pat McKim announced a Bing
deposit of $4,800 for the D team, and Beez announced that the E team is up next
week. The Prez announced that the HEAR project has helped 13 kids in 2004,
with $3,500 in hearing aids and assistance. Sertoma International turned
92 this month. Lt. Col Hubbard, retired military and Viet Nam POW will
speak July 6th at the Wyndham. Regional Convention is May 20-23 in Sparks,
NV. The International convention is July 6-8 in Kansas City.

HANDSHAKE
PRIZE: Randy SmithPOT OF
GOLD: Dick Laskey

Sertoman of the Day

Mike Ballew
arrived in Gainesville, Texas in 1948. His high school and others are
still standing and something about a flood with an elephant climbing a tree at
the zoo. He grew up in the oil field and heavy equipment family business,
but has taught college classes, owned a GMC truck dealership, studied economics
at the masters level, milked cows, practiced law, sold candy and now sells real
estate with his company Heritage Properties.

Mike and Pat
married in Durango and then moved to Denver in 1987. Past gold thanks to
Pat McKim and others in building Ralston Creek, and is governor-elect for the
Front Range district beginning July 1, 2004. Dick Laskey brought him into
the club.

Program

Dave
Miley introduced Terry Witchstrum and Erin Holloway, from the Special
Olympics. Erin spoke about her life before and after Special Olympics. As
she was growing up, Erin felt emotionally abused by other students in school,
due to her difficulty with speaking. This developed into problems with
her personal image and confidence. She lived in a group home for a time
and quickly learned that she was in the wrong place, as she said she was
developmentally disabled and not mentally ill.

Erin was then
introduced to Special Olympics where she hit her stride. She began
participating in sports such as swimming and began to develop self pride and
self worth, because people believed in her and her abilities. She then
participated in individual and tam spots and likes alpine skiing and gold.

Erin is now
living independently and works two jobs full time at Safeway and part-time at
United Air Lines. She owns a ranch in Bennett with horses and dogs.

Erin has won
over 100 medals in Special Olympics competition and currently serves on the
Colorado Board of Directors for Special Olympics. In 2003 she was in
Dublin, Ireland for the International Special Olympics where she attended as a
Global Messenger. There were 7,000 athletes from around the world.
She has traveled in numerous countries as Global Messenger and is a 2002 Sergeant
Shriver Special Olympics Messenger. She attended the 30th anniversary of
Special Olympics at the White House in 1998. Thanks Erin, for being with
us today.